Pacific team forming for the Sacramento Century Challenge bike ride on Oct. 1

Aug 18, 2016

The annual Sacramento Century Challenge charity bike ride will be held on Oct. 1. The chosen charity for this year's outreach is St. Baldrick's Foundation, which works to help cure childhood cancers.

Jed Grant, assistant professor and director of admission for Pacific's new Physician Assistant Studies program, is heading up the "Pacificos," a team representing University of the Pacific, and invites interested members of the Pacific community to join him in "riding for a reason" and help raise awareness for University of the Pacific in Sacramento.

"This is a fully supported ride, meaning there are chase vehicles (called SAG wagons) in case your bike breaks, rest stops stocked with food and drink, lots of helpful volunteers, various distances to ride, and a beer fest with a live band at the end," said Grant. "Participants can ride 20, 40, 65, or 100 miles (all of it mercifully flat), or they can just do the band and beer fest."

Grant is also planning training rides each Sunday in September to help riders prepare for the ride. Get to know your colleagues as you get in condition for the event.

"Everyone is welcome," said Grant. "This is not a competitive event and the focus will be on fun conditioning. If you are new to cycling we will cover some basics and help you get comfortable riding with others, which is the best part of cycling!"

There are a variety of ways to participate: register to ride with the team, become a fund-raiser, or make a donation.